One of my favorite things about summer is hosting backyard barbecues for friends and family. It’s always so fun to fire up the grill, load on burgers and hot dogs, and serve up a buffet table of side dishes for everyone to enjoy. My barbecues generally involve the usual barbecue dishes: potato salad, grilled corn on the cob, macaroni, etc. But I recently came across an old-school recipe I had completely forgotten about that will fit in excellently at our next barbecue: creamy cucumber salad!

You may remember eating cucumber salad growing up – I know we sure did! But if not, I think you’re going to like this simple yet tasty recipe regardless. This recipe is fresh, healthy, and has a bit of tang – the perfect accompaniment to the rest of your barbecue foods. There are many variations on this recipe, but the tried and true ingredients are:

Thinly sliced cucumbers (the number will depend on how many people you’re serving)
A generous dollop of sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt for a healthier option)
One to two cloves of garlic
Thinly sliced red onion (1/4 to 1/2 red onion is likely plenty)
Spritz of lemon juice
Bunch of fresh chopped dill
Salt and pepper to taste

All you have to do is mix together the ingredients in a large bowl and serve! The great thing about this recipe is that you can make it your own by adding anything you like into it. Personally, I think it would taste great with some finely chopped dill pickles and celery for an added bit of tangy crunch! Some crumbled feta would also be delicious. Even though dill totally makes this recipe, you could also try some fresh mint if dill isn’t your favorite herb.

With summer right around the corner, I’m already busy pinning and saving recipes to try out as we host friends and family this season. This light, fresh, and healthy recipe will certainly be making it on my list of must-serve side dishes. Happy barbecue season, everyone!